'Bangladesh need to have a league'
Monika Staab, a former player and currently a FIFA instructor, was recently in Cox's Bazar for the inaugural SAFF Women's Football Championship. The 51-year-old's playing career expanded from her native Germany to other parts of Europe at a time when women's football was just taking roots, while her coaching career led her to the pinnacle of success. For the last four years, she has been working as a FIFA consultant and has been to 55 countries in Asia and Africa to develop technical and organisational aspects of the game.
The Daily Star Sport's Atique Anam caught up on Monika prior to her departure for her country to discuss about the ongoing tournament, the current state of women's game in this region and the ways of improving it.
Daily Star Sport (DSS): What is your impression of the tournament?
Monika Staab (MS): It's a great opportunity for the woman footballers of this region. For newcomers like Afghanistan, it's a great opportunity to learn and a chance for girls to show that they also can play the game. This tournament will hopefully help promote and support women's football in this region.
DSS: What are the obstacles to growth of women's football in this region?
MS: Lack of money, lack of interest, lack of support, and lack of manpower.
DSS: What exactly is needed to get the women's game going?
MS: The most important thing is to play more matches, play competitive matches, have a women's league, play the game in all cities.
DSS: How was the situation back in Germany 40 years ago when you started playing?
MS: Well, it wasn't easy either. We were only allowed to play 20 minutes twice a week, we had to play with lighter and smaller balls, and we were not allowed to use studs. Later they had to change the protocol to allow us play which was in around 1970. Four years later we had our first league and we had our first national team in 1984.
DSS: Which team impressed you most in this tournament?
MS: I was very impressed by the performance of Nepal, and I wasn't expecting it since they don't have a league there. India too, as everyone knows, they are the strongest side.
DSS: Why do you think India are so much ahead of the others?
MS: They have a lot of development work going on, they have a league with lots of people involved, a fulltime manager who is paid, and an administrator solely for women's football, which you wouldn't find in many federations.
DSS: How did you see the Bangladesh team?
MS: Bangladesh have some very good individual players, but they lack match experience. They need to play on a regular basis which is why they have to have a league.
DSS: Which players caught most of your attention?
MS: Nepal striker Anu Lama, India captain Tababi Devi, Pakistan goalkeeper Syeda Mahapara and Aungmra Ching Marma of Bangladesh.
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesig...php?nid=166445
Great interview and really shows why football is so behind in South Asia. I think our girls have the talent but due to lack of commitment by the board they won't be able to go far. Look at how organized India is compared to all the other teams. It's crucial we start focusing on the development of women's football. If there is more commitment we could see this team doing well in the near future.